Without permission it might be best to not show the photo/website/not deliver files containing it but just give instructions on what to do on that site. Unless you are sure it’s covered by fair use (though even then I’d not show the photo within the site eg. of the lighthouse as that doesn’t seem to be within their photo use policy).

Since the source websites are (mostly) government sites that serve the public, providing a screenshot, with an identifying description should not be a problem. They are not being “sold”, simply used for reference (and security) reasons. At the end of each PDF, including the available sample, are/will be two (2) paragraphs. I’ll include them here for your review:

BEGIN QUOTE

A Security Double Check

Screenshots are provided to help you confirm that the links take you to the expected destination.

The descriptive line and visible URL help to serve as a layer of security. In most cases. The first part of the descriptive line will be the title of the webpage that the URL takes you to.

The visible URL should match the one that displays in your web browser’s address bar, when the link is selected.

In this way you are assured of a way to double check and verify that the destination you have arrived at is correct.

Disclaimer

This PDF reference has no connection in any way to the website administration. All content referenced in this index belongs to the source destination linked to by the hyperlinks.

Payment to me is for my services, researching and creating this reference guide for your individual and private use.

This PDF is for private use only. Not for Commercial Use.

No attempt is made to interpret the source information. I recommend that you contact the website administration with questions.

Arthur Strout

END QUOTE

I’ve tried to contact the webmasters of government sites to ask for permission. It is yet another case of many agencies and playing a “who’s who”, trying to learn the correct person to ask. Most of the time a response just doesn’t happen.

So, what is covered by “fair use” and can/should screenshots be used as part of reference material?

This is an important question that deserves to be researched and answered correctly for everyone using screenshots of websites.

So, what is covered by “fair use” and can/should screenshots be used as part of reference material?

Some interesting court cases:

I found these court cases on the U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Index. I’ll link to them under the two (2) cases listed below:

This case is interesting for us because it involves a photograph that the USPS paid Getty Images a license fee to use. - The use of the photograph was determined as “not fair”. You can read the details.

Please don’t be afraid to leave “tough to take” comments and suggestions.

I’m not easily offended

Okkayyyy… Since you gave the go-ahead I am sorry if this comes across as being harsh but I think the gig image of yours is very… uhmm… what’s the word… drab/bland… It could be a lot better… It could be a lot more appealing.

I don’t think you need to mention “administrative authority website home page”. I don’t think it adds any value to your gig image. You need to make it more interesting and colorful… with lesser text in it.

Add a splash of color. If you were to make a very simple gig image of your own… something simple… something colorful… could even be created on MS Paint or some other simple software… I think it would be much better and much more appealing.

Instead of just writing “contact information” followed by a list of very obvious contact detail types such as e-mail, phone number, etc… and a big ol’ heading saying “licensing requirements” followed by a totally random www… (why is there a www… below each heading? It doesn’t make sense to me… If there is something I am missing, maybe you could enlighten me) you could just have a big heading wich says services I provide followed by a list of all the services you provide (in just 2 or 3 words as sub-headings… not more) or I will take care of all your licensing needs… or something like that… You feel me?

I’d suggest that you spend a good amount of time just randomly perusing through gig images of level 2 and TRS sellers on the Fiverr website to get an idea of a gig image. Just try to soak in the various elements that make their gig images appealing and try to bring those elements to your gig image (just get inspiration… I am not telling you to copy stuff from other sellers ) and make them pop/shine through. If you look at at the gig images of successful sellers, you will realize how interesting and engaging they are to look at… and about how they are able to convey a lot of information visually and graphically… with only a few words used in their gig images (some with less than 5 words in their gig image).

I would also recommend that you go through this again (even if you have already read this before, I’d suggest that you do so again. Thanks!)-

I TOTALLY understand that your niche is something very unique and quite unlike the other gigs out there… But still, I think having a gig image with so much text and the random “www…” in it makes it rather unappealing. There are some elements to your gig image which I don’t think need to be there. I might be wrong… If so, please don’t mind me. You can correct me.

I APOLOGIZE if I came across as being rude – or harsh – or even annoying… That was not my intention at all…

You are so right about the image on the current gig. That gig will go away, to be replaced by a gig that I’m working out here. We can definitely explore your comments.

This is my greatest struggling point.

I never had much talent in this area, even before the Glaucoma. Pictures are often “lost” on me. I just can’t see the details like everyone else. A big, tall, wide and thick wall.

Screenshots add value, helping to give a “preview” of the link destination.

@uk1000 brought up copyright concerns, using screenshots of websites. You can read the conversation about that above.

You can also scroll up to see my latest image examples.

I agree with you that ‘to mention ‘administrative authority website home page”’ … doesn’t add value to the gig image. That is vitally important information for the buyer and the core source for the rest of the information.

Not very pretty “eye candy” though.

“Plain Text” isn’t very colorful or interesting, but it is “what I do”.

No excuses here, I really need to get past this issue if I’m to have success here.

I’m very color blind and it is getting worse. I can hardly make out shade differences of color at all. I can make images larger or smaller and add text to them, using MS Paint (old version). Windows 10 now has Paint 3D. I’m totally lost with that.

hanshuber16:

you could just have a big heading wich says services I provide followed by a list of all the services you provide (in just 2 or 3 words as sub-headings… not more) or I will take care of all your licensing needs … or something like that… You feel me?

That sounds great for my Gig Description. That could really be an improvement to what I’ve been thinking of for one. This is a lot more helpful than harsh.

hanshuber16:

If you look at at the gig images of successful sellers, you will realize how interesting and engaging they are to look at

Honestly, I look at them with wonder. You are all so talented!

I do like a clipart site that offers free clipart we are allowed to modify and use commercially. I’ve used some of their images in the past. The choices can be a bit limiting though. It is easy enough to do a Google search for image sites.

hanshuber16:

I would also recommend that you go through this again (even if you have already read this before, I’d suggest that you do so again. Thanks!)-

IMPORTANT NOTICE BEFORE CONTINUING!
Sorry for the TERRIBLE AND AWFUL picture you’re about to see, I’m no marketing expert nor designer It’s just to help you find an idea for your gig’s cover. Again, I used your items as example.